XK8 c.2000-2001
Discussion
I'm currently looking at the XK8 of this vintage. The 4.0 version. I've heard the 4.0 had issues compared to the later 4.2, so I was looking for some real world experience from people who have owned them. How likely are they to cause me trouble? They look like a lovely car for not a huge amount of money. Any 'must check' things to look out for?
The early cars had Nikasil engine liners which were prone to break up due to a chemical reaction with certain additives in petrol. Most of them would have been replaced by now and modern petrol has different properties that will not react to any Nikasil ones still out there.
The timing chain tensioners were originally made from plasticand broke up. A second version was better but also plastic and the same thing happened. The third generation are metal and have no issues.
Check for rust in the passenger footwell, a well known problem area on some vehicles.
Suspension and steering bushes are prone to wear so check for any strange knocking sounds when in motion.
Check all the electric toys work. It seems fairly normal on cars with electric adjusting seats for them not to function properly. There are quite a few toys so it is more than likely one or two will not work (personal judgement call as to whether they are significant in the purchase)
Regards
Scruggs
2003 XK8 4.2
The timing chain tensioners were originally made from plasticand broke up. A second version was better but also plastic and the same thing happened. The third generation are metal and have no issues.
Check for rust in the passenger footwell, a well known problem area on some vehicles.
Suspension and steering bushes are prone to wear so check for any strange knocking sounds when in motion.
Check all the electric toys work. It seems fairly normal on cars with electric adjusting seats for them not to function properly. There are quite a few toys so it is more than likely one or two will not work (personal judgement call as to whether they are significant in the purchase)
Regards
Scruggs
2003 XK8 4.2
Come to think of it, Nikasil was discontinued in the engines somewhere around the year 2000. So there is a high degree of possibility that they would have steel liners instead in 2000 - 2001
Edit to say that I found this posted elsewhere (not my quote):-
The first steel lined AJ26 was number 0008181043. This is a date code and translates to 18th August 2000 @ 10.43am. No Nikasil after that date. AIUI, Nikasil is vulnerable if high sulfur fuel is combined with short journeys in which the engine doesn't reach proper operating temperature. When used "properly" the Nikasil hardens with use and ends up being better than steel.
If it starts first time from cold, and first time from hot I'd say that the engine was okay. Post 2002 gives you 4.2 liters, and a 6 speed gearbox (and slightly better fuel economy!).
Edit to say that I found this posted elsewhere (not my quote):-
The first steel lined AJ26 was number 0008181043. This is a date code and translates to 18th August 2000 @ 10.43am. No Nikasil after that date. AIUI, Nikasil is vulnerable if high sulfur fuel is combined with short journeys in which the engine doesn't reach proper operating temperature. When used "properly" the Nikasil hardens with use and ends up being better than steel.
If it starts first time from cold, and first time from hot I'd say that the engine was okay. Post 2002 gives you 4.2 liters, and a 6 speed gearbox (and slightly better fuel economy!).
Edited by scruggs on Wednesday 29th July 11:10
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